23RD NOVEMBER

SYCOPHANTS!

“Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.” (Matthew 2:2-3)

We may try to understand why King Herod was upset. He was jealous! I wonder if he thought he would be king forever or maybe he had plans to pass on the kingship to his firstborn son whom he might have been grooming already.

However, it may be difficult to understand why everyone else in this capital city of Jerusalem, where the king resided, was upset too. They were probably sycophants who did not care to think of the truth but cheered Herod on that he was the best and praised everything he did. They held important positions in the government and did not want to lose the perks and rewards of that, as well as lots of opportunities to “steal” as much as possible from the “national cake”, while being protected by the king. Their friends and children were the tax collectors who constantly defrauded the people and the tax was not used for tangible projects that the common people would gain from

It seemed that even when one of the security chiefs advised the King to kill off all the male children below two years, there was no one to speak out. Cunningly the security chiefs found out from religious teachers details needed to carry out their evil plans. Even when the cry of death filled Bethlehem, those in Jerusalem were safe and seemed not to care, forgetting that in Bethlehem was their own kith and kin. Alas, a generation was being wiped out and explained away! What bondage is greater than such fear that no one dared speak the truth to the king!

Is our generation different? Are we speaking truth to those in authority, when we have the opportunity? Sycophancy is destructive and places people in captivity. “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32

ACTION: Choose to stand and speak for the truth always.

PRAYER: Father God, please grant me the courage to speak the truth in love at all times.